A strong strategic partner
Annual report on First Nations ear and hearing health
In partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ear and Hearing Health Data and Reporting Advisory Group, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) launched the first annual Ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people report on 4 December 2023. The report presents information on the ear and hearing health of First Nations people, their use of health services, and highlights areas where more data is needed.
The Advisory Group, chaired by Professor Kelvin Kong, worked with the AIHW to develop the report. The Advisory Group is multi-disciplinary, made up of members who are experts in the ear and hearing health of First Nations people from a clinical, policy, research, service-delivery or advocacy perspective. The Advisory Group provides expertise on the interpretation of findings and draws out key messages. Over time the Advisory Group will continue to shape the report.
Informed by the expertise of the Advisory Group, the report draws together ear and hearing-related data from a range of different sources, including the Census, national health surveys, hospitals data and data from hearing programs that deliver services such as screening and testing or fitting hearing aids. This reporting can support efforts to improve health services, facilitating the development of more comprehensive and coordinated approaches to service delivery, ensuring it is both timely and appropriate for different areas and communities.
First Nations people, and in particular First Nations children, experience high rates of ear and hearing problems, which can have profound impacts on overall health and quality of life, including the ability to communicate cultural knowledge and immersion in culture.
Hearing problems in children can affect speech, language, thinking skills and behavioural development. Early detection of middle ear infections – the main cause of hearing loss among children and young people – is vital for appropriate treatment.
The 2023 report showed that some progress has been made towards better ear and hearing health for First Nations people since the foundational report was released in 2022. The report provides valuable insights into the ear and hearing health of First Nations people, supporting the development of policies and the provision of services to improve ear and hearing health among First Nations people and strengthening AIHW’s partnerships with government, non-government organisations and the First Nations community.
The report can be read in full at Ear and hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 2023.